Rubber-cushion socket for thigh legs



June 10, 1924.

P. A MARTINO RUBBER CUSHION SOCKET FOR THIGH LEGS Filed Dec. 21, 1923 Ai if A- Math n IN VENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented June 10, 1924.

arreo PHILLIP A. MARTINO, O'F BOSTON, IVIASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB TO UNITED LIMB &

BRACE CO., INC., O'F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHU- SETTS.

RUBBER-CUSHION SOCKET FOR THIGH LEGS.

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, PHILLIP A. MARTINO, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Rubber- Cushion Sockets for Thigh Legs, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying sheet of drawings, forming part thereof.

This invention relates to a cushioned socket for amputated limbs. For the purposes of this application I shall show and describe my invention in its adaptation to the upper socket of an artificial thigh leg, in which relation it is of immediate importance and usefulness. It is to be understood, however, that such treatment is purely illustrative and in no way limiting, and that my invention may be used with any limb socket. V V

The ordinary limb socket is necessarily stifl and unyielding, and hence uncomfortable to the wearer in direct proportion to the degree of pressure and the extent of bearing thereon. In the case of the upper thigh leg socket, the pressure is mainly on the upper or thigh end of the leg socket where the diameter of the socket is largest and where the bearing area is greatest.

Various pads and linings have been devised for relieving this pressure and for cushioning the bearing, but in the main, such devices have been of temporary, makeshift character, and are open to the objection that they did not adequately cushion the parts; were bulky or uncomfortable in use; and were apt to slip about on the socket.

To the end, therefore, of providing a simple and inexpensive device which may be readily applied to a limb socket and which will adequately cushion and wholly relieve the pressure of the contacting parts, I have devised my present invention. In it, the cushion is formed as a moulded bearing surface of relatively soft, flexible cushioning material, as sponge rubber, which not only readily absorbs the pressure of the contacting parts but is self-conforming in character so as to comfortably adjust itself to the shape of the limb to which it is applied; thus providing a smooth and even adapted bearing surface. Moreover, being moulded, the cushion will in use hold its position upon the leg socket and may be adjusted along Application filed December 21, 1923. Serial No. 682,096. v I

the entire extent of the limb socket edge, as occasion demands, or interchangeably to either right or left limb sockets.

The construction and manner of using my cushion strip is described and illustrated in the accompanying specification and drawings, throughout which like reference numerals are correspondingly applied, and

, ing diagrammatically the self-conforming properties of my cushioning strip when adjusted to different positions along the edges of the limb socket.

I have indicated at l, Figs. 1, 4 and 5, the thigh extremity of an amputated leg, and 'at 3 the leg stump, which is encased in the upper or thigh socket of an artificial limb or cast 2 of ordinary construction.

According to my invention .the upper edge of the socket 2 is cushioned by a moulded cushioning strip of sponge rubber or equivalent cushioning material. This strip is of channel form comprising spaced side walls and a connecting web. The outer wall 4 is an anchoring section, the inner wall 5 is a bearing section and the intermediate thickened connecting web 6v provides the cushioning and pressuresabsorbing element proper of, the strip, the. several parts 4:, 5 and 6 defining a continuous receiving chan nel or groove 7 adapted to fit over the upper edge of the socket member 2.

By reason of its channel form, the cushioning strip readily retains its position upon the socket edge and is not apt to accidentally slide therealong in use.

By reason of its capacity for self-conformation, the cushioning and pressure absorbing web 6 of the strip soon confortably adapts itself to the particular portion of the anatomy with which it is in contact, and hence can be fitted to either side of the thigh extremity, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, Fig. 4: showing it fitted to the outer and Fig. 5 to'the inner side of the thigh extremity, and Fig. 5 also indicating diagrammatically by the dotted lines the selfadapting feature of the strip to the shape of the part being cushioned.

The web 6 is of sufficient thickness to adequately absorb whatever pressure is exerted upon it and at the same time is sufficiently yielding to effectively cushion the parts. The strip itself is long enough to afford ample bearing for the contacting parts, and if desired may be covered with a fine covering of leather or the like, as indicated at 9, Figs. 3, i and 5, to increase its comfort.

Various modifications in the form, material and uses of my device may be made within the spirit and scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A cushioning and pressure-absorbing device for a limb socket, consisting of a resiliently self-clamping cushioning strip adapted to slidably fit upon the adjacent end of the limb socket, a portion of said strip constituting a cushioning and pressure-absorbing section and being self-conforming in action so as to adapt itself to the shape of the part of the anatomy with which it contacts according to the position of the strip upon the edge of the limb socket, the resiliency of said strip permitting the walls of said strip to be spread apart and the strip to be adjusted circumferentially along the limb socket edge to any desired position and causing said walls when released to automatically grip the limb socket so as to clamp the strip at the selected position of adjustment thereon.

2. A cushioning and pressure-absorbing device for a limb socket, consisting of a moulded resiliently self-clamping cushioning strip of channel form adapted to slidably receive the adjacent end of the limb socket, a portion of said strip being of thickened cross section and constituting a cushioning and pressure-absorbing section and being self-conforming in action so as to adapt itself to the shape of the part of the anatomy with which it contacts according to the position of the strip upon the edge of the limb socket, the resiliency of said strip permitting the walls of said strip to be spread apart and the strip to be adjusted circumferentially along the limb socket edge 1 to any desired position and causing said walls when released to automatically grip the limb socket so as to clamp the strip at the selected position of adjustment thereon.

3. A cushioning and pressure-absorbing device for a limb socket, consisting of a moulded resiliently self-clainping cushioning strip of channel form comprising spaced walls and a thickened connecting web defining a continuous channel within which the adjacent end of the limb socket is slidably received, the outer wall of said strip constituting an attaching section, the inner wall constituting a bearing section, and the web constituting a cushioning and pressureabsorbing section and being self-conforming in action so as to adapt itself to the shape of the part of the anatomy with which it contacts according to the position of the strip upon the edge of the limb socket, the resiliency of said strip permitting the walls of said strip to be spread apart and the strip to be adjusted circumferentially along the limb socket edge to any desired position and causing said walls when released to automatically grip the limb socket so as to clamp the strip at the selected position of adjustment thereon.

4-. A cushioning and pressure absorbing device for a limb socket, consisting of a continuous moulded rubber strip, generally U-shaped in cross section, and adapted to slidably straddle the adjacent end of the limb socket, the resiliency of said strip permitting the opposite walls of said strip to be spread apart and the strip slide circumferentially along the limb socket end to any desired position of adjustment thereon and causing said walls when released to automatically return towards each other to grip the limb socket therebetween so as to clamp the strip at the selected position of adjust ment thereon.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature this nineteenth day of December, 1923.

PHILLIP A. MARTINU. 

